Nanaimo Council Tramples Charter Rights

This City Council Doesn't Seem To Care What YOU Say!

Do They See Public Input

As Merely Theatre To Ignore?

Nanaimo citizens who aren't turned off by the state of local politics have observed a disturbing trend with this city council. While they 'appear' to function as a body representing the interests of Nanaimo taxpayers; their actions seem to tell a different story.

FAILED AAP

You may recall that this city council took three bites at the apple in an attempt to put taxpayers in debt of another $100,000,000.00. In spite of Council's attempt to put their thumb on the scale by misusing the sneaky 'Alternative Approval Process'; a whopping 8,000 taxpayers said NO!.

Before this result from Nanaimo taxpayers was rendered Mayor Krog is on record to say "if this AAP fails we will have egg on our face and we will be STUCK with a referendum". That is paraphrased, but is what he said. That is how this Mayor views the will of Nanaimo taxpayers; he and his council will be STUCK with the decision of taxpayers.

Now, he and Councilor Manly are doing headstands trying to figure out another way to do an end run around the wishes of the people. Councilor Perino is even going so far as to try and get legislation changed so the taxpayers will have nothing to say in the future.

TRAMPLING ON CHARTER RIGHTS

In their most recent display of utter disdain for the wishes of Nanaimo citizens, this Council has rammed through a bylaw which simply pisses all over the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Under the guise of 'staff safety,' this Mayor is claiming that banning citizen's right to record a council meeting, improves their safety.

This is the kind of government overreach one might expect in Russia, China or North Korea but is surely not acceptable in CANADA.

TELL MAYOR KROG AND HIS KOUNCIL WHAT YOU THINK

One of the reasons this Council feels so emboldened to utterly ignore the public is the fact the public in recent years has totally ignored this Council. Council has mistaken silence for approval. That is on US, the apathetic public who have been ignoring OUR civic duties these past years.

Council watchers of times past will remember when the gallery was full at all city council meetings and the Council knew the citizens were engaged and cared about their community. Perhaps the whole battle over Colliery Dam Park was a highlight of that era. An era when citizens took their role in democracy seriously and organized and pushed back against the City Hall Machine; a machine designed to serve the Corporation of the City and not the Citizens of the City.

DEMOCRACY DIES WHEN THE VOTERS GO SILENT

When we think we have done our civic duty by casting a ballot and then ignore our elected representatives we are ignoring our DUTY to participate in our community. This is not an option if we are to be good, responsible members of our community, our province and our country.

THINGS YOU CAN DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

GET INFORMED

LET THEM KNOW YOU ARE WATCHING

WATCH CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

ATTEND CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

VOICE YOUR OPINION 

SEE THAT CIVIC MATTERS MATTER 

YOU CAN HOLD THE LINE ON YOUR RISING TAXES --- YES YOU CAN

More about your role in setting the level of taxes in the next issue.

CITY HALL ISN'T BROKEN 

IT IS JUST UNATTENDED